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NSW Waratahs
21
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
28
| 76 |  | H. McLaughlin-Phillips | ||
| 75 |  | L. Anderson | ||
| 68 | | H. McLaughlin-Phillips | ||
| 67 | | J. Nasser | ||
| T. Edmed | | 52 | ||
| T. Tupou | | 51 | ||
| 39 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 38 | | R. Asiata | ||
| 28 | | T. Lynagh | ||
| 27 | | T. McDermott | ||
| T. Edmed | | 20 | ||
| J. Gordon | | 19 | ||
| T. Edmed | | 9 | ||
| H. O'Donnell | | 8 |
| 3 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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NSW Waratahs Head Coach Dan McKellar has made six changes to the starting 15 to face the Reds in Sydney on Friday night (7.35pm AEST).
Tane Edmed makes a rare start in 2025 for the hosts who are boosted by the returns of Wallabies hooker David Porecki and powerhouse lock Fergus Lee-Warner from injury. McKellar has left Lawson Creighton, the former Reds playmaker preferred to Edmed in recent weeks, out of the 23.
“It’s great to have ‘Porks’ back … a leader in our group, outstanding set piece, top three or four in the world for his line out throwing and his physicality,” McKellar said of Porecki.
“When he’s at his best, he plays nice and physical. And again, he just has a strong presence within the group, provides others with a little bit of comfort.”
Porecki had been sidelined with a calf injury and returns at a crucial time in the NSW Waratahs’ campaign that has seen all their five wins at home.
Lee-Warner, who suffered a Lisfranc injury in the team’s pre-season trial in Japan against Kubota Spears in November, has also been named to start.
His selection is a reward for his dedication to his rehabilitation and conditioning and his work behind the scenes in helping the team prepare every week.
“’Big Ferg,’ you’d not find a better team man than Fergus Lee-Warner,” McKellar said.
“Most players when they’re in rehab, long term rehab, isolate themselves from the group. He’s been completely the opposite,” McKellar said.
“He’s done so much work in the background around line-out, attack, on our defence, just really pleased that he gets to contribute to this season.
“He got 40 minutes out with Easts [in the Shute Shield] last week, which was good,” McKellar said.
“I don’t expect him to be perfect on Friday night, but he’ll be full of effort and fight, and that’s what we want and expect from each other.
“So yeah … it is a reward for all those off field actions. I look at that as closely as the on-field actions … how players carry themselves under adversity. He’s been first class.”
Tane Edmed’s elevation from the bench to No. 10 jersey and Jack Bowen’s return to the bench along with Darby Lancaster after a five-try performance for Easts in the Shute Shield last weekend sees Creighton miss selection.
And Henry O’Donnell’s promotion from the bench to No. 13 means that there is no room on the 5-3 bench for Lalakai Foketi who will sit out the game.
Hooker Ethan Dobbins who started against the ACT Brumbies last week will also not play with Porecki’s return and Mahe Vailanu keeping his bench spot.
The return of Wallaby Filipo Daugunu in the centres is a timely boost for the Reds and he will be hoping to add to his impressive form, having scored six tries this season.
Dre Pakeho will be partnered in the centres by Daugunu with Wallaby Hunter Paisami needing more time to overcome a badly corked leg.
Tom Lynagh will start at flyhalf.
In the pack, John Bryant will start at No.8 with Joe Brial’s versatility across the backrow being utilised for impact from the bench.
On the bench, Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser returns for his fourth game of the season.
“It’s great to have Filipo back for the challenge in Sydney. We have huge respect for NSW and their five-from-five record on home turf this season,” Kiss said.
“Filipo has consistently been one of our best this season and he’s ready to fire. He travelled with the team to Fiji last week to finalise his preparation into this week.
“John Bryant has been patient all year and has worked hard on his game throughout. He has played for the Reds Development team and his club Souths, as well as his matches for the Reds, so he is ready to go.
“It’s fantastic to see Josh Nasser back. His experience will be good for us, coming off the bench alongside other senior forwards.”
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Daniel Botha, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Henry O’Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Felix Kalapu, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
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